Integral joint structure



Dec. 20, 1955 c. M. MOORE INTEGRAL JOINT STRUCTURE I5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 24, 1951 m r/ M p M W Dec. 20, 1955 c. M. MOORE 2,727,286

INTEGRAL JOINT STRUCTURE Filed May 2 1951 3 Sheets.5heet 2 x w I IN VENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1955 c MOORE 2,?2K28 5 INTEGRAL JOINT STRUCTURE Filed May 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet Z IN VENTOR fim 2 ATTORNEYS United States Patent INTEGRAL JOINT STRUCTURE Clyde Maurice Moore, Ric'hmond,.Va., assignor to Moorex Industries, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia ApplicationMay 24, 1951, Serial-No. 228,052

This invention relates to joints for structures comprising a plurality of wall panels. The invention relates particularly to joints for demountable containers adapted for use in handling diverse. kinds of materials but it will be readily apparent from the following description that the joint structure is of general utility and may be employed to join wall panels of many diiferent kinds of structures. be employed in demountable, boats, bathtubs, tanks, rafts and many other. articles.

assembled may be prefabricated to the desired dimension and shape and shipped in the flat or in nested? relation to a point of assembly or use.

structure.

Structures capable. of being shipped or stored in a knocked down'condition arevery desirable since the shipping or storage space required for the finished article is quite great in comparison to the comparable space required for shippingor. storageof thesame structurewhen. inknocked down ordisassembled condition. Many such. structures'are desirably made;of..materials impervious to,

tween adjacent panels and attempts-to make the joints. requisite strength. The

completely sealed and of the present inventioncontemplates a joint structure adapt= able to various types of materials whereinthe assembled" structure has joints that are'firm and rigidly lockedi In general the invention comprises providing adjacent edges of the individual panels with relatively oifset over= lapping. portions having rib-and-groove interfitting" pertionsextending alongathezpanel. edges'and clamping means to. hold the.:interfitting partsin: assembled relationship;

The joint of. such construction may. readily be: provided.

with-a flowable: sealing means-where a completely tight structure isdesired. or'may' be. constructed without such. sealing means. where bulk materials are being handledor Where it is not necessary to provided a completely sealed'joint.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over the joint structure disclosed'in copending. applications-of this same applicant'as follows: Serial No. 167,793, filed Junel3, 1950; Serial No. 177,106, filedAugust 1, 1950' and Serial No. 209,169 filed February 2, 1951.

Wh'il'ethe above-identified applications"discl'ose sealed For-instance, the joint disclosed herein may.

According to the present inven tion the panels from which a finished structure is to be.

The panels may: then beassembled' in the field into the desired finished 2. joint structures employing-separate clamping and sealing bars embracing the edge portions of-adjacent panels, the present.inventioncontemplatesthe formation. of the interfitting joint members-integrally with the material of the panels themselves..

It is therefore an object-of this invention to provide a joint for structures .adapted to be disassembled for shipping or storage: purposes;

Another object of this. invention is to provide, inastructure-as. above noted, a sealed joint'wherein no separatebars are employedthus precluding the possibility of the separate bar elements being lost or damaged'during' periods of transit or storage.

A still further object of-this invention is to provide a joint for the panels of a: demountable structure in which the joint-forming. components are integral parts of the panel edges.

Still another object of this invention isto provide ajoint structure capable. of. satisfactorily joining the edges of panels formed ofFiberglas.

Still another object of this. invention is to provide a demountable-structure including thermally insulated Wall panels.

Still another objectof this inventionis' to. provide a joint structure. for panels thatis simple in nature, economical to construct and readily adaptable to mass pro.- duction methods.

With the aboveobjects in=view reference is made to'the ac companying. drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through a joint according to the. present invention employing a fiowable sealing material.

Figure 2. is a transverse sectional view through the edge portion ofa panel comprising a drum'head and illustrating a modifiedjoint construction;

Figure 3 is asectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 1..

Figures4 and 5. are-sectional but illustrating, further modifiedforms of joint.

Figures 6 and. 7 are transverse sectional viewsthrough av joint according. to the: present invention wherein the panels are of sheet metal construction:

Figure 8 illustrates a joint, in section, adaptable for use in constructing. relatively large structures requiring reinforcements.

Figures 9. and 10 aresectional viewsillustrating different embodiments ofa further modified form of joint.

Figure 11 illustrates: a.still further modified. joint.

Figures 12 and l3show aformof joint adaptable to molded panels or panelsmade of sheetzmateriaL- Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view through a joint in a. containerv or the like having. thermally insulated panels.

Figure 15 is aplan view of the joints between three adjacent panels illustrating the manner of inter-relating a joint with an intersecting similar joint.

Figure 16 is a sectional view illustrating the adaptation of a joint according to the present invention to a corner of a rectangular. structure, and

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a generally cylin-- drical container constructed. according to the present invention and including integral .roller rings.

Referring now to Figure 1,. panels Zandd, comprisingportio-nsof-the side walls of. the desiredstructure, areiliustrated as being of the. Fiberglas material heretofore referred to but it is to be understood that they may be made of any other suitable material. As shown, the panel 45 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel depending integral ribs 6 and'8'. The ribs-6 andr8-extend parallel.to the edge.ofthe panel.4.-throughout the entire length of that edge. Itwillbe noted'thatthe ribs.6 and: 8 define a channeltherebetween. The panel 2 is provided with an views similar. to Figure 1' otfset portion defining a channel having side walls and 12 and a bottom portion 14. The channel defined by the portions 10, 12 and 14 is offset from the portion of panel 4 provided with the ribs 6 and 8 and the channel is of such dimensions as to snugly receive the ribs 6 and 8 therein. As shown the channel structure is provided with an upwardly projecting central portion having ribs 16 and 18 and a longitudinally extending groove 20. The upstanding portion of the base of the channel extends upwardly into the space between the ribs 6 and 8. The space between the said ribs 6 and 8 receives a longitudinally extending strip of self-sustaining flexible sealing ma terial 22. The material 22 may be of soft rubber, soft neoprene or similar material capable of being deformed when placed under pressure. The strip of material 22 normally assumes a rectangular sectional shape but when assembled into the joint as shown in Figure l the up standing ribs 16 and 18 compress the material 22 to expand the same both laterally and longitudinally to provide pressure sealing between the panels 2 and 4. The longitudinal groove 20 in the channel structure permits expansion of the material 22 to insure against bursting of the joint upon the application of undue pressure.

It will be noted that theribs 6 and 8 and the side portions 10 and 12 of the channel structure are provided with mating tapered surfaces 24 and 26. By this construction the material of the joint itself effects a substantially tight seal upon clamping the members together.

The panel 4 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings adjacent one edge thereof in alignment with threaded bushings or nuts 28 imbedded in the material of the base of the channel structure. A screw threaded fastened means such as the screw 30 may be employed to apply transverse pressure to the joint to hold the panels in assembled relationship and to apply pressure to the howable material 22.

The panels 2 and 4 may be molded in suitable apparatus and the nuts 28 may be imbedded in the material of the panel 2 at the time the panel is constructed.

In practice the panels 2 and 4 may be of identical construction, the edge of panel 2 opposite that illustrated in Figure 1 may be provided with the rib structure 68 shown on panel 4. Of the other two edges of the panel, one may be provided with the channel structure shown and the other may be provided with the ribs 6 and 8 whereby any desired number of identical panels may be assembled into a single structure. Aligned edges of the panels 2 and 4 will, of course, be provided with the same joint components. That is, ali ned edges of the panels 2 and 4 will both be provided with the ribs 6 and 8 while the opposite aligned edges of those panels will be provided with the channel structures whereby a continuous joint with other panels may be formed.

The panels 2 and 4 may be of rectangular outline or the panel 2 may be provided with a circular opening within its boundaries while the panel 4 may be circular in outline to fit and close that opening. The panels may be flat or they may be segments of cylinders, cones, spheres or the like depending upon the shape of the finished structure to be produced.

As shown in Figure 1 the bottom of the channel structure in which the nut 28 is imbedded is provided with an opening in alignment with the opening in the nut for reception of the screw .30. In many installations it will be desirable that the bottom of the channel structure be provided with a projecting boss or protuberance 32, integral therewith, extending over and closing the end of the screw receiving opening. Reference to Figure 3 illustrates an elevational view of such an integral boss structure.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a panel WhlCh may be a circular head 34 for a drum or the like having a channel structure corresponding to that shown 111 F gure l integrally formed therewith. In the modification of Figure 2, however, the channel opens peripherally outwardly of the circular head and is laterally 0&- set therefrom. It will be readily apparent that a panel such as the panel 4 of Figure 1 may be readily assembled to the structure of Figure 2 to form a drum or other cylindrical structure. In many instances it is desirable to further reinforce the joint structure disclosed and in such cases the inner surface of the channel structure may be defined by a metallic insert 36 imbedded in the molded material 38 of the head. The insert 36 may be formed by conventional extruding processes and apparatus and subsequently rolled or bent to the desired shape and incorporated directly in the mold in which the panel 34 is made. Projections 40 are provided on the inner surface of the insert 36 to insure locking the insert to the body of the molded panel. In this modification it is unnecessary to imbed a nut, such as the nuts 28 of Figure l, in the channel structure since a threaded opening 42 may be provided directly in the metal insert 36. Clearly such an insert may also be provided to define the surfaces of the joint portion of a panel corresponding to the panel 4 of Figure 1 and having such ribs as shown at 6 and 8. It will be recognized that the sealed joint incorporating the structure of Figure 2 will operate substantially as that disclosed in connection with Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates a modified form of joint, similar to that of Figure 1,. but in which the flowable sealing material 22 is omitted. According to the showing of Figure 4 panels 44 and 46 are provided with overlapping interfitting channel-and-rib structures but the channel portion 48 of the panel 46 is provided with a higher central rib-like upstanding portion 50 projected upwardly into the space between the ribs 52 and 54. The side faces of the ribs 52 and 54 and the corresponding surfaces of the channel structure 48 and projection 50 are generally tapered whereby the application of clamping pressure to the joint will wedge those members together to effect a satisfactory seal for many structures. Suitable screw threaded fastening means 56 may be employed to hold the joint assembled and to apply the necessary pressure for effecting the desired scaling in this modification. The upstanding portion 50 is of suflicient length that the threads for engagement with the fasteners 56 may be molded or cut directly into the material of the channel and provide the necessary resistance to stripping without the necessity of providing a threaded metallic insert.

In the modification of Figure 5 the panels may be constructed similarly to those of Figure 4 but with the upstanding portion 50 of the channel structure 48' being somewhat lower or shorter than that shovm in Figure 4 whereby a chamber or space 58 is provided between the ribs 52 and 54. Screw threaded fastening means 60 may be employed to hold the joint in assembled relationship,

as disclosed in connection with Figure 4. The closed space or chamber 58 extends longitudinally of the joint between the panels and may be in communication with similar chambers in joints intersecting the joint illustrated. The channel 58 and/ or communicating channels are completely enclosed and define a closed system of passageways following the joints of the structure. A suitable valved fitting 62 may be provided to provide communication between the exterior of the structure and the chamber 58. Through such fitting 62 a liquid or semiliquid sealing material 64 may be forced under pressure and caused to completely fill the network of channels in the structure to thereby effect a complete and absolute seal between the panels forming the various joints. In the event the panels are constructed of resinous material the sealing material 64 may be in the form of a cement to further bond the panels together or it may be a nonsetting sealing material whereby the structure may be readily demounted if desired. Even in the event a cementitious material is employed it may be of such nature that it may be softened by heat or other treatment to render the structure demountable. If desired, a

separate" fitting- 62 may" be employed' for each'"- jointhe tween'adjacent panels. 7.

Referring now to 'Figure"6, the panels fifi' and' 68 "-are shown as constructed of' sheet metalof uniform-thickness although it is notnecessary -that-metal be employed sinceother sheet material, capable ofl being bentor formed; may be used. As shown Figure-fi the'pauel'68' is'pro--' vided with a pair-of reversely bent-=rib s70 and-' 72' whereas the panel 66is1provided 'with the-channel structure-74. Inall otherrespects' a jointIconstructed in accordance with' the-showing-of 'Figure' 6 may bethe same-as'that of Figure 1 although the ribs 16"and =18'of-Figure'1 may be omitted. A suitable sealing material 22may-b'e'em*- ployed in this modification and bolts 76' and nuts 78'may: be employed to apply the necessary-clamping pressure" to the joint.

Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment similar tothat of Figure 6 but wherein'the panels 80 and'82'are constructed of very thin sheet material. A structure having panels constructed of suchi thini sheet material and including sucha joint as illustrated in Fi'gure6 would not bevery rigid and the joint would" not withstand" the-clamping pressure necessary to establish an effectiveseali Tb over come this -'difliculty the panels SlPand 82 are formedwith the ribs and'channel-structures shown' inFi'gure 6"and in addition suitablemetallic' or other=reinforcing elements 84 and 86-are-welded or otherwise: suitably fixed to'the outer surfacesof the' overlapping portions of the panels. The reinforcing bars 84 and 86 maybe-extruded, in'a well known'manner," and-of" such configuration as to snugly embrace the outer surfaces ofthe" overlapping portions of the panels. In such construction the threaded fastening means may'threadedly'engage asuitable opening in the reinforcingbar 86*and" the joint may include theflowablesealing' material 22.

Referring now to Figure'8 there isshown'a furthen modified form" of joint wherein" the" panels 90 and" 92" are identical in all respects: Each offthe'panels'isprovided with integral ribs 94 and 96; the ribs 96" being formed with abutting'outer'edge surfaces'98. Abacking. bar 100, which may'beofextruded material, is formed' with a duplexch'annel configuration'on one face whereby to embraceboth'p'airsrofrib's94v and 96' andto compress the sealing material 22 between each pair of'ribs, in the'manner'disclosed in connection with Figure' 1. Lengths of thechannellbar 100may be welded'or other Wise suitably joinedto'form. a grid or latticework defining a basic frame for the desiredst'ructure. Eachof; the openings of the latticework or grid will be of th'e same outline and dimensions as the panels 9'0fandI92t whereby the panels may be appliedto saidlatticeworli and joined thereto to form a continuous surface and a, completely enclosed andsea'led'structure. Suitable bolts 102"'extend" through each of'the panels 90 and. 92 at. spaced intervals along the joint andthreadedly.- engage. corresponding'openings in the bars. 1D'0Tto efl'ectsealing ofthe structure and'maintenance-of'the parts.in-.assembled relationship. This construction is .particularlyadapts able to unusually large tanks; storage. binsor the like or may be employed in the. constructiomofl buildings where completely. sealed joints are. required Figure 9illustrates ajoint? whereiina. molded. panel. 104 is provided with an ofiset. generally. semircylindric al integral channel 106 and panel 108 is provided with. integral ribs 110 and'112. The ribs. 110-and 1-1'2are of generally tapered configuration and engage: Within. the channel 106 with the wedging actiondescribed in. connection with previous embodiments. The panel-108. may also be provided with an enlarged integral rib. 114 occupying the space between the-ribs 110 and 112 and' extending downwardly into the channel 106. The rib 1'14'dces'notengage the channel 106' but'is spaced'tlierefrom, defining a chamber liti' wlr'ich may be filled a-suitable sealing'materia'l'll8i The material118 is llI tro'duced to the chamber 118 through aasuitahle valved to :maintain the: joint inxassembled relationship and to resis'tthe expansive: tendency of r the material 118;

Figure 10 illustrates a construction very similar to that of'F-igure 9 and wherein the panel 104 may have'a channel structure :1'06 identical to that 'of'Figure 9.- The mating panel 108' is provided with ribs and 112, as-

in Figure 9, and with a downwardly projecting and large integral'rib 114-'-. In this modification however the rib 114 may be provided with'additional' outwardly extend ing ribs 124 spaced from the ribs 110'- and 112. A-semisolid material such as rubber, neoprene or the like 126 is positioned in the space between the ribs-on panel 108 and in the:spacebetween the rib 114 and channel 106.

The strips of material 126 normally assume a shape hav-- ing a cross-sectional area slightlygreater than the-spaces in'itheassembled joint whereby assembly of the jointand the application' of clamping: pressure results in compressiorr'of thef'material .l26' and' its flow in a direction extendingralong thefloint; Thus, longitudinal pressureis transmitted" to correspondingcmaterial in a transverse jointintersecting: that illustrated; all as disclosed in the earlierapplicationsabove-identified. In this modification th'e panels 10'4 -and108? may 'be'cylindrical segments and insteadloffemploying a threaded fastening means to apply ressure tojttherjoint' at circumscribing. band 128 having adjacent: end portions. (not. shown) may be provided with a-suitable: turnbuckle or: similar arrangement to draw the: :bandttightly. about the cylindrical structure and apply the:required:clamping' pressure' to all of the circumferentiall'y spaced jointssirnultaneously;

Figurezllflillustratesa still turther' modified form of joint, similar in many respects to those of Figures 9 and 10 butfwh'erein the channel lfzil of panel 132 is provided with aifiat-bottom 134- and a semi-cylindrical groove 136.- The panel-13815 :provided with a pair of ribs and 142 -havin'g surfaces mating with corresponding surfaces of thezchannel at the inner-face 144. The said surfaces areitapered'" as previously-described to provide the wedgin'gi ac'tion desired. The space between the ribs'140 and 142'is-ofgenerally semi-cylindrical shape and complements the -groove 136 to form agenerally cylindrical chamber extending along the joint.

the panels and' installing the threaded 146 'to hOld'theiparts in'assembled relationship, flowable sealing-or cementitious material'148 may be introduced under pressure to the cylindrical chamber through the valved pressure fitting 150.

Figure 12 illustrates a stili further modified integral joint construction wherein metal panels 152 and 154 are formed 'at adjacent'edges with generally semicylindrical channels156 and 158, respectively. A half-round rod' 1'60may'be welded or-oth'erwise permanently fixed inside the'channel 158 to define a rigid rib at the panel 154: The rib 158 -160 is' of such dimension as.t'o be snugly received within the channel 156 of panel 152 inthe-manner'shown; Threaded'fastening means 162, spaced along thejoint between the panels, extend freely through then'b 158-160 and may be threaded into a pressure applying 'bar'164"embracing the outer surface of the channel 156. A joint of'this'type provides a read ilyassembled and demountable joint between panels comprising'any structure desired to be assembled. While no'positive'sea'ling meansis provided it will be clear. that a structure having a joint may be employed for manypurposes:

Figure 13illustrates a still further modified joint similar'to that'ofFigure l2but wherein the panels 166 and 1'68'areof molded material such as the Fiberglas previously referred' to; The'pan'els of'thismodification are provided with a and" channel, respectively; similar 75- to=that of Figure=l2=butformedintegrallytherewith: The

After assembling fastening means edge of the.

7 threaded fastening means 162 may engage a metallic nut 170 imbedded in the material comprising the base of the channel 156'.

In the heretofore described embodiments of the invention, some include flowable sealing means whereas others do not. Joints made in accordance with the teaching of Figures 4, 12 and 13 may be employed in containers or the like intended for the handling of liquid materials and a suitable seal may be etfected by coating the entire interior of the container with a suitable flexible filmforming material. Such materials are available on the market at the present time. Reference is made to a material commonly known by the trade name Primoid which, with slight modifications, is adaptable for coating containers. The material forms a film tenaciously adhering to the walls of a container formed of the Fiberglas material and other materials and is sufliciently flexible to withstand the vibration to which such containers are subjected. The material is substantially inert to most chemicals and may be readily stripped from the container when it is desired to disassemble the parts for shipment or storage. Alternatively, a separable bag or liner of such material as Vinylite and having the same dimensions as the inside of the container, could be employed to effectively retain liquid or other materials.

Referring now to Figure 14 there is shown a portion of adjacent channels forming a container having thermally insulated wall panels. Adjacent panels 172 and 174 may be made of suitable molded material such as Fiberglas and provided with overlapping rib-and-channel portions defining a joint 175 which may be substantially identical to the joint shown in Figure 1 and including the sealing material 22 and suitable pressure applying means (not shown in this figure) such as the screws 30 in Figure 1. In many instances it is desired to ship the materials or to store them under uniform temperature conditions which necessitates insulating the containers in some manner. The modification of Figure 14 illustrates a container providing the necessary thermal insulation and the features of demountability for shipment or storage along with the characteristic of being inert to most chemicals.

As shown the panel 172 is provided near the joint with an inwardly directed flange 176. It is to be understood that the flange 176 extends around the entire outline of the panel just inwardly of the joint forming structure. A secondary panel 178 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 180 of such outline as to be snugly received within the flange 176. The innermost edge of the flange 180 abuts a shoulder 182 formed adjacent the flange 176 and the panels 172 and 17 8 are joined in a permanent manner such as by the application of a cement material between the flanges 176 and 180 whereby the panels define a completely enclosed hermetically sealed space or chamber 184. The edge of the panel 17 2 opposite that shown in Figure 14 will correspond to the illustrated portion of panel 174 and it will be seen that the flange 180 extends completely around the panel. The panels 172 and 178 have opposed outer surfaces that are substantially parallel and radially spaced apart and the entire joint structure comprising the portion of channel 172 having the ribs and the edge portion of panel 174 defining the channel structure located entirely between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall structure. This construction gives an unusually smooth surfaced container.

The panel 174 of Figure 14 is provided or formed with the integral channel structure 186 having a concave innermost surface 188. The inner panel 178 has a flange 190 extending over the concave surface 188 and defining a chamber 192 therewith. The outermost edge of the flange 190 is complementary to a groove 194 in the channel structure 186 and is cemented therein to hermetically seal the chamber or space 192. One or more small passageways 196 provide communication between the interior of chamber 184 and the space 192.

'Each of the panels of the container of this modification,

having'the hermetically sealed chamber 184 therein, is provided with an inwardly projecting hollow boss 198 having a suitable fitting 200 in the base thereof. The fitting 200 may be a short length of glass tubing having a portion imbedded within and locked to the material of the boss 198. A passageway extends through the tubing 200 and provides communication between the chamber 184 and the hollow interior of the boss, which is initially accessible from outside the panel. After assembly of the panel components and the sealing thereof to form the sealed chamber 184 suitable means may be employed to evacuate substantially all of the air from the chamber 184 through the fitting 200 and the latter then may be fused closed to provide a permanent seal whereby the vacuum within the chamber 184 is maintained. It is a well known fact that such vacuum chambers constitute almost perfect thermoinsulation between the opposite sides thereof and thus a container constructed of such panels will be thermally insulated. During evacuation of the chamber 184 air.

will also be drawn through the passageways 196 to simultaneously evacuate the space 192 underlying the joint between the panels, thus eifectively insulating that portion of the finished structure.

After evacuation of the chamber 184 and before assembly of the panels into a complete container, a suitable metallic plug 201 may be cemented or pressed into the hollow boss 198 to provide armored protection for the fitting 200. The plug 201 may lie entirely below the outer surface of the panel 174 and an inlay 202 ccmented thereover to provide a continuous homogeneous outer surface for the panel. The inlay 202 is of the same material as the panel 174.

An end wall or drum head similar to that shown in Figure 2 may be provided with the evacuated chambers shown in connection with Figure 14 and constitute the end walls of the drum or container. In addition, either or both of the insulated heads or end walls may have filling or emptying openings therethrough and closures for such openings may be joined to the heads by means of the same joint employed in the rest of the container. It will be readily apparent that a container constructed in accordance with this modification is capable of handling an extremely wide variety of chemical materials or food products without reacting therewith. Such containers may be shipped to the point of use in disassembled condition, thus conserving space, then assembled and filled. The container furthermore provides highly eflicient insulation against loss or acquisition of heat when the materials being handled require such treatment.

Figure 16 illustrates a joint similar in most respects to that shown in Figure 1 but wherein the panels 204 and 206 are to be assembled to extend angularly to each other, such for instance as the corner panels of a rectangular or cubical structure. The joint illustrated in this figure contains all of the basic features of that shown in Figure 1 except that the edge portion 208 carrying the ribs: 212 and 214 extends generally obliquely to the plane of panel 206 while the panel 204 itself forms one wall of the channel structure of the other panel and the wall portion 210 of the channel structure extends at substantially to the plane of panel204. It will be readily apparent that this joint comprises overlapping and relatively ofiset riband-channel structures cooperating in exactly the same manner as described in connection with Figure 1 to form a completely sealed corner joint.

Figure 15 is a plan view of a portion of a structure embodying the present invention and showing the intersection of two joints between adjacent panels. For purposes of illustration the joint of Figure 1 has been chosen to illustrate the manner in which intersection joints are arranged. The panel 4 of Figure 15 corresponds to the panel 4 of Figure 1, having the rib structure integral therewith while numeral 2 indicates the panel 2 of Figure 1 and its channel. Numeral 216 indicates a third panel joined to the aligned edges of panels 2 and 4. As previous'ly described the" aligned edges 218- and 220- of the panels 2' and" 4' are" each provided'with the ribstructiire shown on'panel 4 of Figure'l while; the 'illustrated' edge'of panel 216 is providedwith the channel structureshown in Figure 1 on panel 2. Thus'a'sectiona'l view along'either line X'X of Figure" 15 will be identical to Figure" l. The channel structure of panel'216is provided with a miter notch 222 extending substantially to the midpoint of the channel structure, from its free edge, as shown. The channel structure of panel 2 of Figure 15 is cut away at its end to a shape complementary to that of the notch 222 so that upon assembly of the panel 2 to the panel 216 the channel structures thereof will intersect at a mitered joint at 222 forming a T-shaped channel structure to receive the edge portions of the panel 4, each of which is provided with the depending ribs 6 and 8. The fiowable sealing material 22 extending along the joint with panel 216 extends across the three-panel juncture Whereas the sealing material 22 in the joint between panels 2 and 4 abuts at its end 224 with a side edge of the sealing material extending at right angles thereto. As previously described, tightening of the threaded fastenings 30 applies pressure to the sealing material 22 and since the latter is confined against lateral expansion it tends to expand in a longitudinal direction, thus forcing the end 224 into tight sealing engagement with the edge of the transversely extending strip of sealing material thus providing a complete and effective seal at the three-panel joint. The panels 2 and 4 of Figure 15 may be cylindrical segments and the panel 216 may in fact be an end head such as shown in Figure 2. In that case the sealing material 22 extending around the head or end will have its own two ends abutting each other and the pressure applied thereto forces those ends into tight engagement to provide a continuous seal.

While the mitered joints of Figure 15 have been illustrated in connection with the basic structure shown in Figure 1 it is to be understood that such a joint is contemplated for use with all of the modifications heretofore illustrated in Figures 1 through 14, inclusive. It will be readily apparent that this manner of assembling a struc ture having intersecting joints is readily applicable to any of the modified forms shown herein since each of them consists of overlapping edge portions on adjacent panels, one edge portion of which defines a channel parallel to the panel edge and configured to snugly receive a rib structure carried by the other panel edge.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a completely assembled drum constructed in accordance with the present invention. For purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that the joint of Figure 1 is employed to join panels 2 and 4. The periphery of the drum comprises at least three panels, the third panel not being visible in Figure 17. The end or head of the drum may be constructed in accordance with Figure 2 and comprises the circular panel 34. It is to be understood that any of the joints illustrated herein may be employed in assembling such a drum or container.

Each of the panels defining the cylindrical wall of the drum is provided with integrally formed, outwardly directed annular rib segments 226. The ribs 226 extend circumferentially about the segments, are integral therewith, are spaced apart and parallel, and are provided with radially extending end surfaces in alignment with the joint of the finished container. When the panels are assembled into the structure shown in Figure 17 the end surfaces of aligned ribs 226 are brought into abutment at the seam 228 and define a continuous circumscribing ring about the container. The rings 226 not only provide structural reinforcement for the panels of the drum but provide roller rings upon which the entire drum may be supported for rolling engagement with any supporting surface. The provision of such roller rings is particularly advantageous if the panels are provided with additional integral reinforcing ribs and further prevent damage to thelieads' or"serewfastenersao when'rollihg the -drum ing material' '22while' Figurefs'5, 9 andll show sealing material introduced in liquid form into the assembled joint. It is -to 'be understood, howevergithat the 'sealing material in any of the forms may be introduced in the assembled joint through such valved fittings as those of Figures 5, 9 or 11. The showing of Figure 15 clearly illustrates that such pressure-introduced liquid sealing medium will flow throughout a network of joints in a structure.

While a limited number of specific examples have been shown and described to illustrate the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto but is to include all modifications falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a structure having wall panels joined at their edges; one of said panels having a pair of integral spaced ribs projecting from one face thereof adjacent and parallel to one of its edges, a second panel having an edge structure fixed thereto and, defining an offset channel snugly receiving said pair of spaced ribs to form a closed chamber therebetween, and pressure applying means holding said ribs in said channel, the outer faces of said ribs and the inner side surfaces of said channel being correspondingly inclined and in surface engagement whereby a tight seal is effected between said ribs and channel and fiowable sealing means under pressure in the said chamber between said ribs.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1 including means carried by the bottom of said channel structure and extending part way between said ribs to transmit pressure to said sealing means.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said panels, ribs and channel structure are molded of reinforced resin material and define a continuous smooth outer surface for said structure.

4. A structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said panels, ribs and channel structure are molded of reinforced resin material, and wherein said pressure applying means comprise a screw extending through said one panel between said ribs and a nut threadedly engaged thereby, said nut being imbedded in the material of said channel structure.

5. in a structure having wall panels joined at their edges; one of said panels having a pair of integral spaced ribs projecting from one face thereof adjacent and parallel to one of its edges, a second panel having an edge structure fixed thereto and, defining an offset channel snugly receiving said pair of spaced ribs, and pressure applying means holding said ribs in said channel, the outer faces of said ribs and the inner side surfaces of said channel being correspondingly inclined and in surface engagement whereby a tight seal is effected between said panels, said panels, ribs and channel structure being of molded reinforced resin material, the inner surfaces of said channel structure comprising a metal insert at least partially imbedded in said resin material.

6. In a structure having wall panels joined at their edges; the improvement wherein, adjacent edges of a first pair of adjacent panels are provided with overlapping and interfitting portions comprising a channel on one portion and rib means on the other portion nested in said channel and defining a closed chamber therebetween, said interfitting portions defining a first joint between said panels, a joint between aligned edges of said first pair of panels and a third structure, said last-named joint comprising overlapping and interfitting portions, like said first joint, the channel of said third structure having a notch therein adjacent the intersection of said joints, the channel of said first pair of panels having an end portion formed to mate in said notch whereby to prevent slipping of said first pair of panels along the joint with said third structure, the chambers in said joints being in communication and with flowable sealing rngans under pressure therein.

References Cited in thefil eof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS King June 18, 1889 12 Allsteadt July 18, 1916 Earnshaw Apr. 11, 1922 Schwemlein Sept. 6, 1932 Hunter Feb. 13, 1934 Strattard Dec. 15, 1936 Zellers Oct. 7, 1941 Gross Sept. 23, 1952 

